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The Muni News is published
by the Municipal League
Foundation, a 501 (c)3 nonprofit organization that works
in conjunction with the
Municipal League of King
County to provide the voters
and citizens of King County
with the resources they need
to make informed decisions
about civic issues.
The Municipal League is
non-partisan and welcomes
all points of view. If you
have any questions or would
like information on joining the
Municipal League call 206-
622-8333 or send an e-mail
to muni@munileague.org.
Inside this issue:
A Word From The Chair 2
New Tools for Politics 2
Looking at City Light 3
Be A Member 3
Candidate Evaluation 4
See politics up close 5
Civic Awards 6
™e Muni News
May 2002 Volume 92, Issue 2
The Municipal League 206-622-8333
INITIATIVES: WHAT ARE THEY REALLY UP TOP
ByMarkKoenig
No one can disagree that initiatives
are a powerful and popular tool for
democracy. However, concern is
growing regarding their use. Some
citizens perceive recent initiatives as
tools of special interest groups.
Others believe they may circumvent
or preempt legislative actions.
Problems also arise when proposed
initiatives lead to misunderstandings,
legal challenges and unintended
consequences.
After reviewing the findings of a study
task force, the League recommends
the following:
• Convene a Statewide Citizen
Initiative Review - A panel of
citizens modeled on the jury process
to study proposed initiatives and
provide findings to the public.
• Clearly delineate ethics rules -
Washington Attorney General to
publish these, putting elected officials
and their constituents on notice of
what officials can and cannot discuss
with regard to proposed initiatives.
• Prepare fiscal impact statements -
Require the Office of Financial
Management to outline the effects
that proposed initiatives will have on
state and local budgets, and have
those statements published in the
Voters Pamphlet.
• Require 'revenue transparent'
initiatives - An accounting of new
See Initiatives. Page 4
UP FOR STUDY: THE FUTURE OF KING COUNTY wuic steers
The Municipal League Board has
adopted a new study titled "The
Future of King County."
Phase I - Services in King County
The first stage of the study will
address these questions:
• How long has King County been
providing a particular service?
• Under what authority is it provided
(is it mandated by state law or
charter, or is it elective?)
• What does it cost to provide?
• Where did the funding come from?
Phase II - In-depth examination
More exhaustive questions include:
• Are mandated services being
provided at levels beyond those
required?
• Could certain services be provided
by another entity, with new funding
sources? Could or should they be
dropped?
The overall goal of the study is to
suggest a set of criteria that public and
county officials can use when making
hard choices about future service
provision. We will have significant
opportunities for public input, and invite
all League members to share their
thoughts on this topic.
To assure strong citizen participation
and representation of all perspectives,
the League is seeking a media partner
and outside funding for this project.
The public needs and deserves
balanced and reliable information on
this vital issue.
If you are interested in serving on this
committee, or want more information
See Up For Study. Page 5

The Muni News is published
by the Municipal League
Foundation, a 501 (c)3 nonprofit organization that works
in conjunction with the
Municipal League of King
County to provide the voters
and citizens of King County
with the resources they need
to make informed decisions
about civic issues.
The Municipal League is
non-partisan and welcomes
all points of view. If you
have any questions or would
like information on joining the
Municipal League call 206-
622-8333 or send an e-mail
to muni@munileague.org.
Inside this issue:
A Word From The Chair 2
New Tools for Politics 2
Looking at City Light 3
Be A Member 3
Candidate Evaluation 4
See politics up close 5
Civic Awards 6
™e Muni News
May 2002 Volume 92, Issue 2
The Municipal League 206-622-8333
INITIATIVES: WHAT ARE THEY REALLY UP TOP
ByMarkKoenig
No one can disagree that initiatives
are a powerful and popular tool for
democracy. However, concern is
growing regarding their use. Some
citizens perceive recent initiatives as
tools of special interest groups.
Others believe they may circumvent
or preempt legislative actions.
Problems also arise when proposed
initiatives lead to misunderstandings,
legal challenges and unintended
consequences.
After reviewing the findings of a study
task force, the League recommends
the following:
• Convene a Statewide Citizen
Initiative Review - A panel of
citizens modeled on the jury process
to study proposed initiatives and
provide findings to the public.
• Clearly delineate ethics rules -
Washington Attorney General to
publish these, putting elected officials
and their constituents on notice of
what officials can and cannot discuss
with regard to proposed initiatives.
• Prepare fiscal impact statements -
Require the Office of Financial
Management to outline the effects
that proposed initiatives will have on
state and local budgets, and have
those statements published in the
Voters Pamphlet.
• Require 'revenue transparent'
initiatives - An accounting of new
See Initiatives. Page 4
UP FOR STUDY: THE FUTURE OF KING COUNTY wuic steers
The Municipal League Board has
adopted a new study titled "The
Future of King County."
Phase I - Services in King County
The first stage of the study will
address these questions:
• How long has King County been
providing a particular service?
• Under what authority is it provided
(is it mandated by state law or
charter, or is it elective?)
• What does it cost to provide?
• Where did the funding come from?
Phase II - In-depth examination
More exhaustive questions include:
• Are mandated services being
provided at levels beyond those
required?
• Could certain services be provided
by another entity, with new funding
sources? Could or should they be
dropped?
The overall goal of the study is to
suggest a set of criteria that public and
county officials can use when making
hard choices about future service
provision. We will have significant
opportunities for public input, and invite
all League members to share their
thoughts on this topic.
To assure strong citizen participation
and representation of all perspectives,
the League is seeking a media partner
and outside funding for this project.
The public needs and deserves
balanced and reliable information on
this vital issue.
If you are interested in serving on this
committee, or want more information
See Up For Study. Page 5